Foreign medical graduates are reporting sustained obstacles that are affecting career progression and service entry across Pakistan. A primary concern is the delay in issuance of Provisional Registration (PRMP), with many candidates who passed the National Registration Examination still waiting two to three months for approval despite meeting examination requirements.
Training access remains unequal for FMGs Pakistan, particularly within FCPS programmes where graduates secure approximately 1.2% of available training positions even after qualifying the FCPS examination. Additional issues cited include unpaid house jobs and instances where eligible graduates are reportedly being prevented from sitting the NRE, compounding financial and professional uncertainty for young doctors.
Dr Rafey Sher has engaged directly with stakeholder groups representing FMGs to raise these concerns and pursue solutions. He noted that Mustafa Kamal of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is pursuing a progressive agenda to strengthen Pakistan’s health system, and the FMG community is hopeful that the minister and the president of PMDC will play constructive roles in resolving outstanding matters.
Delegations representing FMGs are in contact with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to explore viable remedies and policy changes. Previous advocacy has already drawn attention to FMG-related challenges, and stakeholders continue to press for structured reforms that ensure timely provisional registration, equitable training access and proper recognition of qualifications.
The affected cohort includes many young doctors who have invested substantial personal funds in medical education; they are urging authorities to prioritise transparent, timely processes and meaningful reforms so that FMGs Pakistan can contribute fully to the national healthcare workforce.
